RALEIGH – More than two decades after leading NC State onto the national stage as its starting quarterback, Philip Rivers is returning to Raleigh to lead the Wolfpack from the sidelines.
NC State Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan announced Friday that Rivers has been named the program's new head football coach. The former Wolfpack quarterback signed a five-year agreement and will be formally introduced Monday, Nov. 16, during a private, invitation-only event that will air on ACC Network and stream on GoPack.com and ACC Network Extra.
"I am humbled and honored to be the next head football coach at NC State University," Rivers said. "In many ways, I feel like I'm coming home. This is where it all began for me as an 18-year-old kid from Alabama, and now to return to this great place as head coach is beyond words."
Rivers takes over a program where he remains one of the most recognizable figures in its history. He started all 51 games during his four seasons in Raleigh from 2000-03, setting what was then an NCAA record for career starts by a quarterback.
His No. 17 jersey was retired during pregame ceremonies before his final game on Nov. 22, 2003, and remains displayed in the Ring of Honor at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Rivers finished his NC State career with 13,484 passing yards, 1,087 completions and 95 touchdown passes. He remains the ACC's all-time leader in passing yards, completions, attempts and 400-yard passing games. His career passing totals also remain NC State records.
His final season in 2003 included ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He also received the Anthony J. McKevlin Award as the ACC's top male athlete.
Rivers helped lead NC State through one of the most successful stretches in program history. The Wolfpack reached four bowl games during his playing career, including an 11-3 season in 2002 that remains the program's single-season wins record. NC State finished that season ranked No. 12 nationally after defeating Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.
"Philip Rivers is one of one and the right person to lead NC State Football into its next era," Corrigan said. "His accomplishments as a player at the collegiate and professional levels speak for themselves. But throughout this search process, what stood out to me most was his exceptional leadership ability, his character, the way he connects with people and his vision for this program."
Rivers went on to become one of the NFL's most productive quarterbacks after graduating from NC State with a business degree in December 2003. He was selected fourth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Giants before being traded to the San Diego Chargers.
After spending his first two seasons as a backup, Rivers became the Chargers' starting quarterback in 2006. He held the position through 2019, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and leading the team to six postseason appearances, four division titles and the 2007 AFC Championship Game.
He finished his NFL career with 63,984 passing yards and 425 touchdown passes, ranking sixth in league history in both categories. Rivers also spent the 2020 season with the Indianapolis Colts, leading the team to a playoff appearance before retiring. He returned to Indianapolis late in the 2025 season, making three final appearances with the franchise.
While Rivers brings an extensive playing résumé to Raleigh, his coaching experience comes from the high school level.
From 2021-26, he served as head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. He inherited a program that had gone 0-18 in region games before his arrival and led the team to the playoffs in four of his six seasons. St. Michael reached the state semifinals in both 2024 and 2025.
Rivers finished his high school coaching tenure with a 48-20 record.
His transition to college coaching will be one of the major storylines as he takes over the Wolfpack. Rivers has not previously coached at the college or professional level, making his move from Alabama high school football to an ACC program an unusual path to a Power Four head coaching position.
NC State Chancellor Kevin Howell pointed to Rivers' leadership and ability to develop players as reasons for the university's confidence in the hire.
"Philip is a winner who embraces the high expectations we have for NC State Football," Howell said. "He has proven his ability to develop student-athletes and possesses the grit, integrity and vision to lead our program to championships."
Rivers also brings a family connection to the next chapter of NC State football. His son, Gunner, is part of the Wolfpack's 2027 recruiting class as a quarterback.
The Rivers family has deep ties to the area. Philip's father, Steve, started the football program at Wakefield High School when the school opened during the 2000-01 school year.
Rivers acknowledged the work ahead as he prepares to return to the program where his college career began.
"I gave it everything I had here as a player for 51 games and I will give it everything I have as the coach," Rivers said. "There's no denying that this is going to take hard work, but we're not scared of hard."
He will now be tasked with bringing that approach to a program looking to compete for ACC championships and establish itself among the nation's top college football teams.
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